HAIR CUT

Needless to say, my hair got to the point it was driving me nuts and I was just basically tired of it, but didn't know what I wanted to do with it. (afraid I would take the scissors to it myself) I changed hairdressers last fall and was really pleased with her technique and ability - the icing on the cake is she's going to open her own shop about a mile from our house. Well, Paula's latest magazine showed her with a really cute hairstyle, so off I went and told my new hairdresser "I want to look like Paula Deen". She's very conservative and concerned because it meant alot of my hair would have to be cut off. She also wanted to make sure that I realized Paula had hairdressers and that her style would require more work than what I'm doing now. I told here, that I didn't care, I wanted it cut - I was ready for a change. The more she cut, she finally said that based on what my hair was doing, that this style was probably the best cut for my hair after all. I am so pleased and it is so easy - takes 1/2 as much time. Lots of compliments and Poppy really likes it too. Surprisingly, several men have made positive comments. So glad I had it cut.

"UPDATE ON EYES

Well, it looked like my eye was progressing well and the spot was slowly disintergrating, until Saturday night. We went to Taylors Saturday - Mama and I went with Mouse to pick out invitations --really, really, pretty. Since it was Poppy's birthday, we went out to eat - 33 Liberty and it was wonderful. Right up his alley, a Louisiana Mardi Gras menu. That evening I noticed a flash in the back of my eye. There were a couple of flashes Sunday morning and I was hoping it was part of the healing process. So after church I just rested and read. Went to choir practice and afterwards it really started flashing pretty frequently. No flashes when I'm still, but appears when I'm moving around.
I was worked in to the specialists office this afternoon and he said that there was no retinal, nor macular tear or bleed, but I did have a "hemorrahge on the optic nerve".and a pretty big floater. He felt is was still a part of what was going on initially and that is would heal withouth diffficulty. But since what caused it was still an issue, still no lifting or bending. He said the flashes were from the decreased levels of vitreous humour pulling the lining away from retina and if allowed to progress could cause a retinal tear or bleed. But the good news is it has to get a lot worse before surgery is required. He gave me his cell phone in case I had questions or symptoms got worse and I wouldn't have to worry about tracking him down.
On top of all tthat we were juggling an eye appt with Mama. Her eyes are great and all she needed was a prescription change.--the only glasses she was wearing were drug store reading glasses. She has so much that she takes medicine for, so thank God that was not an issue. Toni and I can't figure out where the Macular degeneration came from. We are the only 2 with it. Possibly Aunt Catsy had it - Toni was told by her Catsy's daugher that she was virtually blind when she died. However, Toni's MD has stabillized, so that 's great.
Enough of that, time for bed.

P.S. TO "COLD DAY MUSINGS"

Well, it was a 3 egg day.

COLD DAY MUSINGS

Well the weather put a damper on a few events. Yesterday was supposed to be rainey and then freeze , so our Sunday School fish fry was postponed (its a good thing - my pies flopped). However, we did experience a first out of this; late yesterday evening, we recieved a phone call - church was canceled. Our church is on hill and it was feared our parking lot would be iced over. Wouldn't you know, the weather man was wrong. Today is clear as a bell, very cold 20 degrees. OK Loud, no comments; I know you are laughing at us right now. If it's any consolation to you, we think of you every evening when the weahter comes on. Granny L gets quiet upset thinking about how cold your weather is.
Experiencing something new every day! My research on raising chickens told us that egg production would decrease in winter months as production was related to amount of sunlight. Decreased light, decrease eggs. Up unitl this point our egg production had been pretty steady, averaging one or two less than actual laying hens. However, it caught up with us, it was so cloudy, snowy and foggy. Two days running - 3 eggs, then 2. Today is sunny, so it will be interesting to see what the nests provide.
Today I will work on my art. Lately, artwork has been the class I take and the classes I give. So yesterday, I started my project for JT. I'm excited about it, it will take quite awhile. I'll share more about it as I progress. Mariposa, yours is coming, I promise.
Need to get moving, cold weather has grabbed my back and hips

UH!!!!!!WHAT'S THIS?????

Well, we woke up to snow and it's about time. First time in 3 years. Prissy took one look and came back in. It took Shiner 3 attempts, this photo is when he finally made it out. He just sat down, looked around and came back in the house. I opened the door to deck to snap pictures and the cats didn't even try to run out. Just stood there and looked. Just hope it doesn't get too icey and the power stays on. It's supposed to melt today. Can't go anywhere! Perfect!!! Woo!Hoo!

Shiner confused

West side of garage

Doug's pasture

NEVER A DULL MOMENT--LIFE ON THE FARM

Wednesdays are busy days for me. I take my ICC art class from 9-1 and I give lessons from 1-4, then 4:30 to 7:30. So I'm rushing in from morning class, grabbing peanut butter and banana sandwich, glance out the back window and what do I see, but 2 very large horses eating grass in our back yard. So I yell for Poppy. They belong to our neighbor south of Doug's pasture. Second time this week they've gotten out. However, the first time they headed to neighbor B. E.'s house. To make it even funnier, when I head out the back door to see if I could help Poppy, I look around and all the chickens are running to follow me out. That's all we need is 9 chickens under the feet of the horses. Poppy got them corraled before the chickens got there.
He put them into the small entry section of the pasture to try and contain them until C got home from work ---of course, we didn't have her work number. Next thing we know, horses are gone and the gate is on the ground ----did I mention they were very big horses. Diego can walk under one. Well they came right back and pretty much stayed all afternoon enjoying the green grass in our back yard. Poppy will be helping C try to repair her fence. However, she says one of them can jump over a round pen gate.--velly high.
Part of the problem is her pasture isn't supporting them, what with the drought. She has been supplementing them, but I guess they smelled our fresh grass.

SAD DAY

We thought things were progressing fairly well with Emmy Lou. She was eating well and making up with Deigo. We went to Church and she was fine. After lunch Dad looked out and she was on the ground. She died. There were no injuries and from what we could tell, she just passed. We don't know how old she was and she spent a lot of time on the run, so no telling what was wrong with her. Right after we got her, I called the large animal vet and he gave us some antibiotics for the wound on her neck - it was healing. So we are very sad.

On top of that, one of our Blonde hens went missing today. That's unusal too, because it's the black ones that stray from the group. I guess the stars are not rightly aligned today.

Poppy's brother and family came up for weekend. C came with them. He leaves for the Marine Corps next week. He's excited ---has wanted this for a long time. We had a good visit. C and his other Grandmother went to church with us.

Last week was pretty busy, several meetings. Art classes went very well. I'm looking forward to just getting back in the routine.

Wedesday morning, I woke up with a spot in my L eye that I was pretty sure was not a floater and it was in my cenral vision and didn't move. It was still there the next day, so I was worked into the opthalmologists. She said I had some subtle changes and a spot on my retina and referred me to a retina specialist- so that 's where Poppy and I spent Friday. The Dr injected dye and scanned my eye. He said it was the smallest change he had seen that caused symptoms. I have a spot in my macula and on my optic nerve. He feels that the macula pulled away from the retina and some cells pulled away and caused a blip. He said they could heal and hopefully spot would go away, but if it got worse, I would need surgery. So I can't lift or bend for 2 weeks and I see him in a month unless things get worse. In addition he found I have early cataracts and early macular degeneration. Like I said, the stars aren't aligned right this week.

Newest Addtion

Our neighbor friend, from whom we got our first Miniature Donkey, received a phone call from a neighbor who said"H....., I'm not drunk, but there's a big bird running along your fence, trying to get in. He went out, opened the gate and an emu ran into the pasture. This was several months ago. The emu mingled with the donkeys and was doing fine. Then apparently sometning spooked her (he thinks it was coyotes) and she went thru the barbed wire fence. She?? was missing for 2 weeks and was discovered several miles away. He contacted us and asked if we knew of anyone who could take her as his fence was not secure. S000000000000, we now have an emu. She's in pretty bad shape, lost a lot of weight and has some wounds. Tomorrow, we try to find emu food. We named her "Emmy Lou". Here are some snap shots. The girt donkeys helped offload her from the trailer and then took off running. Diego is trying to make up with her. She is approaching him, but he is still circling.

T&M Painting

Rainey day art

CUTE PICTURES FROM CHRISTMAS

This was taken Christmas eve at Mamere and Pawpaw's house. The sequence is to try and get all the grandkids still for at least 5 seconds for a good snapshot. Hilarious.

http://gammadolittle.blogspot.com/

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It's been quite a while since I've posted. The holidays seemed to take over. My last posts involved Shiner. He has since fully recovered and has adapted very well to being a house dog. He will go on a diet like the rest of us, starting next week.
Thanksgiving eve, we purchased 2 female miniature donkey's, Carmen and Rosa. They were quite shy. They are coming around and will eat out of our hands. Diego is most unhappy because they are on the other side of the fence.
Christmas was spent in Louisiana and it was wonderful because we were almost all together - missing was our future son-in-law, jobs do require attendance. Food was great and doubly good because crawfish were running early. Best of all, was bringing back our "grands". The trip back was long - we did it in one day instead of 2; T&M were great.
The weather hasn't cooperated as far as being able to play outdoors, but we can't have it both ways, the rain was badly needed. T&M have both gotten a kick out of gathering the eggs. They also like to call and feed the chickens. T has had an encounter with Elvis the rooster, but held his own. The mud has limited there time with the donkeys.
Went to the movies today and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. Really, really cute and T&M thoroughly enjoyed it, so did Mama. Forgot how big the popcorn and drinks were. Came home and had banana split for supper. Don't tell the Mama and Daddy, but tonight T&M have caught up on some sleep and are staying up late tonight.

Well, Shiner is finally home. Talk about a million dollar dog. He looks pretty worse for the wear. But bless his heart he gets around very well for just 3 legs. He's lost a lot of weight. He's acutally in a crate in our bedroom now. Fence for the other hounds is just about complete - they're still chained up. Long day - more tomorrow.

Yep, Shiner is a tripod now. We checked with the vet this am and he is doing well and should come home Mon. I don't even want to think about the bill. One more reason they are being fenced in. Can't afford any more accidents.
Dad knew if some solution didn't contain the dogs, that I was going to kill them or they would come up missing. Lady had been doing fine and then she had a change of heart. 4 chickens (including Elvis) were missing for most of the day. Gradually all crept out of the woods except a black one. Based on the amount of black feathers, I felt pretty sure she was mortally wounded. Scarlet has deformed feathers on her chest, but is doing well. Surprised the hell out of me. Based on her wound, I didn't give her much of a chance.
As soon as Dad's back calms down, he will build the dog fence. I'm looking forward to a little piece of mind.

Well, Shiner took a turn for the worse and developed an overwheming infection and he was already on the most potent antibiotics. They amputated his leg today. Dr Bradshaw said the leg was just full of necrotic tissue and based on what he found, amputation was definitely the best decision. It all goes well, he should come home Monday.
Since Lady killed one of the chickens and Happy did his best to try( Scarlet is clucking away), all dogs are tied and corralled. As soon as the rain clears, Dad will put an electric fence around the back yard. Roaming days are finally over.
Mom L is doing well. The nursing home is agreeing with her. We probably should have made the decison earlier. She's getting more exercise than she has gotten in years. She wheels of over the place. She is more interested in socializing than visiting with us.
It's rained most to the day. Thankfully - it was so needed.
Dad's back is really bothering him. He overdid it several days ago. He is taking it easy.

Shiner seems to be out to the woods, but will stay at the vet for the weekend at least. Scarlet is still clucking around, hopefully antibiotics will do there job. Karma caught up with Happy. He came home with his paw split. So he is now cleaned up, pressure dressing applied and loaded with oral antibiotics -- and oh yes, chained up.
Latest Mom L saga. Yesterday, when we visited, she was without glasses. Today she had glasses, just not hers. While we were sitting in her room, an aide came in with a pair of her shoes. It seems that yesterday, this aid discovered Mom on another hall and asleep in someone else's bed. Apparently, she does a lot of traveing in her wheelchair. No telling where she left her glasses and whose she's wearing.
While we were sitting there, she starting talking about her daughter. Dad said he didn't remember any sister. She said Oh yes, I adopted a daughter and raised her as my own. I said, Mom I believe you are thinking about your granddaughter H......... You had 2 boys. She looked very surprised and said that she had 2 or 3 daughters. I said, Mom I beliieve you are remembering your 3 granddaughters, you had 2 sons, no daughters. A mind is a terrible thing to lose. That's the most she's said in a week - ususally she just looks vacant, but she's hell on wheels and is at least getting some exercise as she tours the halls. Next thing you know they'll find her in bed with a man.
Mama's memory continues to fail her and her pain level seems to be increasing. More complaints in her mid to lower back. Today she was helping me shuck the corn and was having difficulty remembering to put the shucks in the trash and not back in the corn. I heard about 3 stories at least three times while we were shucking the corn.
I put 13 pints of corn in the freezer today - many thanks to dear neighbors who have a huge corn field. Dad and I looked cute picking it (he did good for a city boy). Broke in my $$$$$$$cowboy boots - they have rattlesnakes in their cornfield. One killed their Jack Russell terrier this year. Fortunately, we didn't see or hear a thing. Dad had his pistol and machete; I'd already asked him if he really thought he could hit a snake with a pistol and didn't we need a hoe. I was well armed with my Swiss Army Knife.

Answer to Mouse - As of last evening all chickens were accounted for. Blondie came back from woods and the wounded girl was alive and limping around. I scrounged around and found some Clavamox drops that I keep for cats, reconstituted it and figured she weighed between 2-3 pounds. Between Dad and I we got O.2cc down her beak. I haven't been out to the henhouse yet, but will update you as soon as possible. If she looks viable, I will continue to give her antibiotics twice daily. If it looks like she is on a downward spiral, I will not let her suffer further. I'm such a wimp, can't do the usual "wring the chicken neck" thing. I'll put her in a plastic bag and then put her in the freezer. That's the most humane way I can think of. That's was what cat breeders do with kittens who are fading/stuggling and won't make it.

Diego continues to be such a joy. We have started to give him sweet feed treat/supplement in the evening. As I walk out to the fence, I've been saying "where's my Deigo", he brays and runs full speed to the house, braying the whole way. So rotten. The neighbor who we bought him from is looking for an adult Jenny for us. Last Sunday he told us he thinks he has found a Jennie that has been bred. Hopefully that will come thru. If not we will probably get some goats, so he will have a friend until we can find a suitable mate.

Hopefully we will get some good news about Shiner today.

Mom L has figured out how to "walk" in her wheelchair and is apparently navigating up and down the halls. They keep her out of bed as much as possible and I guess she figured she could move around. When we went yesterday, she wasn't in her room, or up at nurses station. They were playing games in the large dining room. Today was "Do You Want to be a Millinaire". They were really doing a great job of putting on the show. Mom sat there and was enthralled - didn't even know/care that we were there. So knowing our place, we left.

Well, we had a fun Labor Day weekend. D&T came up. Monday we went to the "Bottoms" for prime rib.
Shiner's not doing well. His leg looked swollen and we took him back in. The vet kept him. He has an abscess. They've reopened him twice now and now there is old blood they may have to take out. The have him on another stronger antibiotics. We should know more tomorrow.

Mama accidentally let Happy our while the chickens were out. I just happened to go outside and all three dogs were at the chicken house. One of the yellow chickens was missing and a red one looks mortally wounded. Happy ripped her chest open. I dosed her up with Clavomox drops that I had on hand. The yellow one had escaped to the woods and has since returned. Happy is on very thin ice. I'm having evil thoughts of tying him in Diego's pasture and letting Diego stomp him to death or Dad said he was going to hide his bullets. I still have mine-- and the gun. Happy is now chained while the chickens are out. Lady has been hiding all day.

We are now getting 5-7 eggs a day. All the eggs are brown. Some lighter than others. The hens all seem to have a favorite nest and I've seen 2 hens in one nest before. We put golf balls in the other nests to trick them into laying in other nests. Elvis' status is safe for now. He is doing well by his hens. You should have seen him go after D&T's little dog -- I guess 3 dogs at one time were a bit much for him.

I hope to got the gem/gold mines soon. We'll plan it on one of your days off. I think its fun.

In answer to Louds question - Yep, we finally broke down and got a new couch. It's wonderful. A burgundy leather sectional that's like sitting in a glove. It has 6 sections and all but the center wedge are recliners.
We decided that while the Moms were at day care we would take turns as to what we would do that day. It's turned out to be really nice. We don't have to worry and we don't have to pick her up until 5:30. So it's Dad's turn to pick next time. To make it ever nicer, we pick Mama up and then go out to eat --- no cooking that day.
We may have had a major turn around with Happy Jack ( he's trying to creep into my good graces) He actually sat with us while we were supervising the chicken "free range". He only thought about lunging one time and responded to a "No". We didn't have to zap him.
Elvis may end up in the stew pot. While getting the hens back in the hen house, several of them protested and I picked them up and tossed them in the door. He didn't approve and flew at me feet first, he didn't have his spurs out. I kicked him away and poked him with the wide end of the rake. If he shows more aggressive behavior, he will find that he is not necessary for egg production.
Tomorrow we may try to get some apples - take a little trip to Hendersonville.

Today is one of the 2 Thursday's when Poppy and I have a date day - Mamma goes to day care every other Thursday. I wanted to check out the local gold mines. It seems NC is the first place in the US twhere gold was found. There are at least 3 with in 10 miles of our house. In addition to my own pleasure, I wanted to pursue them as a possible outing for my friends when they come in Oct. So very cool. I panned for gold and Poppy sluiced for emeralds. I got a few grains - it's tedious but fun., defintitley a technique involved. Poppy got a baggy full of emeralds - several have a lot of potential. I will definitiely go back.

Mom L was asleep when we went to visit. She was not interested in visiting. Couldn't even get her to eat a cookie. Same thing happened yesterday.

Two more hens have entered the laying game. They all lay in the same nest. So there were three eggs today, all different colors and different shapes.

Since I have figured out how to upload pictures (sort of), I'll include some of the Moms' birthday.